The Didsbury actor, whose partner Samantha is expecting their first baby, said: "If the government has said these masts shouldn't be built near schools how can it be all right to have one so close to the home where we plan to raise our child?

"I understand we can't argue on health grounds but I do think the council should take into account our fears when making its decision. We feel we've really settled down here but we'd rather move than put our child's health at risk."

John added he intends to write to the council to object to the siting of the mast in a residential area.

Maria McLoughlin, who has formed an action group to fight the proposal, was equally adamant that the plans should be scrapped because of the mast's proximity to the Cavendish Road school.

A spokesman for the city council said: "We are dealing with a planning application for the installation of a telephone mast, but no decision has been made. We have been in consultation with local residents and their responses will be taken into account as part of the decision making."

Orange has also applied to put up a same-sized mast near the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Didsbury village. A spokesperson for the firm described the masts as extremely low-powered sites.

He said: "Orange acknowledges the concern regarding the siting of transmitters, however there is no conclusive evidence that makes a link between exposure to radio waves, transmitter sites and long-term public health risks."